By R. Michael Brown, Civic Association Communications Director --Construction of the new temporary bridge over the Intracoastal at the Southern Blvd. Bridge is in full-swing as you can tell from the many cranes on barges at the site.

“The Southern Blvd. Bridge Replacement Project is proceeding on schedule,” said Angel Gardner, Community Outreach Specialist. “Progress is continuing on the temporary bridge. Most of the bridge foundation piles are in place. The bridge deck is coming together on the eastern approach. The lift span is being assembled. And the temporary bridge is scheduled to open in spring 2018.”

Photo: Lift Span in St. Augustine similar to the one to be assembled for the temporary Southern Blvd. Bridge

The lift span is going to make a new signature to the skyline of the area. The temporary span looks like a giant Erector Set. Once in operation, the entire span will be lifted like an elevator to let boats proceed underneath it. The same type of temporary span was used when the Bridge of Lions was being replaced in St. Augustine, Florida. This writer drove over it several times and at first it’s a bit disconcerting. Once assembled it will be used from this Spring until the new bridge opens, currently scheduled for early 2021.

Traffic Disruptions Continue

The northbound lane of Flagler Drive between Southern Boulevard and south of Monroe Drive will be closed from 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, to 6 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2. Flaggers will maintain two-way traffic in the southbound lane – one direction at a time – to allow for the mobilization of a crane to install a temporary construction wall.

In addition, because of a Presidential visit this weekend, road closures around Mar-a-Lago will be on Friday, February 2, 2018 at 6 AM and continue thru Sunday, February 4. During the h single lane is open at the traffic circle to go west over the Southern Blvd. bridge and to go south on A1A.

Project Overview

The Southern Boulevard (SR 80) Bridges Replacement Project includes replacing the existing bascule (draw) bridge and tide relief bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW) and Lake Worth Lagoon between the Town of Palm Beach and the City of West Palm Beach.

The project limits are between Washington Road in West Palm Beach and State Road A1A/South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach. New decorative lighting, pedestrian features, traffic signals, signage and drainage are included. The temporary bridge is being built north of the existing bridge to maintain traffic while the replacement bascule bridge is under construction.

Active construction began April 3, 2017, and will last until early 2021. The estimated construction cost is $93 million.